Hilary has recently retired from school principalship with positions most recently at Ashburton Borough school and Wakanui School.  Education has been a passion that Hilary continues in her “new” life.  Hilary and her husband Graeme moved to Ashburton in 1998 and their 3 sons, Nick, Tim and Travis were actively involved in many local sports.  The boys (now young men) all currently live overseas pursuing exciting careers.  Hilary has a keen interest in helping people and ensuring that the best possible services and supports are available to all who need them. She has particular skills in strategic planning and ensuring that goals and aims are planned for and achieved.

Penny, a GP, has been involved in and has had a passion for palliative care for the last 30 years. What she loves about this branch of medicine is that it celebrates life and encourages people to live their life to the fullest. Penny sees the work of the Hospice Mid Canterbury as an important part of helping its clients and their families to achieve their goals.

Jenny and her husband Mark moved south, from Taranaki, in 1994 as part of the dairy migration south. They continue to dairy farm between Methven and Ashburton. They have three adult children who all attended local Ashburton schools but currently have only one living in NZ, while two live abroad. Jenny is a chartered accountant who has worked in accounting roles largely in the commercial and agribusiness sector for 40+ years. Her governance experience includes 9 years on the Ashburton College board of Trustees, and most recently 4 years as National Finance Chair for Rural Women NZ. Jenny joined the board of trustees in 2023, seeing it as a great opportunity to give back to her community and support the wonderful service HMC provides.

Tina joined the HMC board in 2022. Hospice is an organisation that is close to her heart.  Arohanui Hospice in Palmerston North was involved with her father’s care during a short illness with an aggressive brain tumour. She loves being part of a community organisation that makes a difference to people’s lives. Tina is people focused, with a particular interest in health and wellbeing. In 2011 Tina and her husband, Nick, moved with their young family from Hawkes Bay to Mid Canterbury to take up a farming opportunity. Tina is mother to Bede (17), Ruby (17), Isaac (14) and Arthur (11). She graduated from AUT as a Physiotherapist in 1997 and worked in private practice in NZ and as a locum in the UK prior to running a farming business.

Karla has been working in health care for over 20 years as a Physiotherapist. She has been involved with palliative care throughout her career and has always enjoyed contributing towards important patient goals. Alongside clinical experience, Karla has previous governance experience, works as the clinic manager at Motus Ashburton and has been involved with publishing ‘Hidden in Plain Sight. Recognising and growing the palliative care skills of Allied Health Professionals’ under Te Whatu Ora. Karla has a background in martial arts and netball. Currently she’s enjoying hiking, weights and getting back to the netball courts.